An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports

Abstract Background Athletes in outdoor sports particularly experience several consequences of climate change. Objectives To take up the experiences and expectations of coaches in outdoor sports regarding climate-related health risks in sport and to systematize them. Methods This nationwide, cross-s...

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Main Authors: Sven Schneider, Janina Reinmuth, Sophie Leer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01135-0
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author Sven Schneider
Janina Reinmuth
Sophie Leer
author_facet Sven Schneider
Janina Reinmuth
Sophie Leer
author_sort Sven Schneider
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Athletes in outdoor sports particularly experience several consequences of climate change. Objectives To take up the experiences and expectations of coaches in outdoor sports regarding climate-related health risks in sport and to systematize them. Methods This nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult outdoor sports coaches from the ten largest outdoor sports associations in Germany. Their experiences with climate-related changes where were collected and qualitative content analysis was conducted. Results Out of 1,771 participating coaches, the content-analytical evaluation resulted in eight disjointed topics. These comprise heat-related risks, accident and injury risks, UV-related risks, respiratory risks, infection risks, mental risks and also positive effects of climate change. Besides, statements of respondents not expecting any significant changes due to climate change were recorded. Conclusions In the course of climate change, sport-specific risks will continue to increase and especially the risk setting of outdoor sports will be confronted to them. In order to be able to practice sports successfully and safely in the future, the study results emphasize the necessity to develop comprehensive, flexible and cost-effective prevention concepts for climate adaptation in sports. Clinical trial number Clinical trial number: The study protocol was pre-registered with the German Clinical Trials Registry (registration number DRKS00027815) on January 18, 2022 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027815 ).
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spelling doaj-art-87fb3760e43e413a990844d3923d04d22025-08-20T03:53:13ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-04-011711910.1186/s13102-025-01135-0An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sportsSven Schneider0Janina Reinmuth1Sophie Leer2Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of Public Health, Social and Preventive MedicineHeidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of Public Health, Social and Preventive MedicineHeidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of Public Health, Social and Preventive MedicineAbstract Background Athletes in outdoor sports particularly experience several consequences of climate change. Objectives To take up the experiences and expectations of coaches in outdoor sports regarding climate-related health risks in sport and to systematize them. Methods This nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult outdoor sports coaches from the ten largest outdoor sports associations in Germany. Their experiences with climate-related changes where were collected and qualitative content analysis was conducted. Results Out of 1,771 participating coaches, the content-analytical evaluation resulted in eight disjointed topics. These comprise heat-related risks, accident and injury risks, UV-related risks, respiratory risks, infection risks, mental risks and also positive effects of climate change. Besides, statements of respondents not expecting any significant changes due to climate change were recorded. Conclusions In the course of climate change, sport-specific risks will continue to increase and especially the risk setting of outdoor sports will be confronted to them. In order to be able to practice sports successfully and safely in the future, the study results emphasize the necessity to develop comprehensive, flexible and cost-effective prevention concepts for climate adaptation in sports. Clinical trial number Clinical trial number: The study protocol was pre-registered with the German Clinical Trials Registry (registration number DRKS00027815) on January 18, 2022 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027815 ).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01135-0Climate changeAthletesGermany
spellingShingle Sven Schneider
Janina Reinmuth
Sophie Leer
An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Climate change
Athletes
Germany
title An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
title_full An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
title_fullStr An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
title_full_unstemmed An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
title_short An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
title_sort unbeatable opponent coaches perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
topic Climate change
Athletes
Germany
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01135-0
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